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Broadcaster Chris Packham, who received death threats over his campaign on bird shooting last month, was also be awarded a CBE for services to nature conservation.

The BBC Springwatch presenter said the honour was a 'silent thanks' from the animals he has defended, after he was named on the New Years Honours list in 2018.

Packham, 58, said: 'A lot of people aren't as well versed with the problems, they read the headlines, they knee jerk, they feel that they're threatened and therefore they lash out.

Sir Andy Murray is very close to his mother Judy (right)

Like Sir Andy's wife Kim, Judy Murray has been a vocal supporter of him throughout his career

'I have to accept that and I will accept that and continue to try to make progress.

'For me all of those things are part of a process I will have to go through to achieve what I want to do - and that is to make the UK countryside a better and healthier place for wildlife and for people, too.

'I know that's not going to be an easy ride but that doesn't put me off.'

She posted this photo online which mocked up her son as King Arthur pulling the sword from the stone

Andy Murray's career-defining moment came in the summer of 2013 when he ended Britain's 77-year wait for a male singles champion at Wimbledon.

The knighthood was announced in the 2016 New Year Honours, capping a momentous 12 months which saw him win a second Wimbledon title.

In the same year, he also retained his Olympic crown, was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the third time, and finish the season as world number one.

Sir Andy Murray announced at a tearful press conference at the Australian Open in January that he plans to retire after Wimbledon this year due to the pain in the joint (Above: Sir Andy lifts the Wimbledon trophy in 2016)

Recipients are allowed to choose when to collect their honour and it is thought the delay was due to Sir Andy having a busy overseas playing schedule, but in the intervening two years he has suffered a career-threatening hip problem.

Sir Andy announced during a tearful press conference at the Australian Open in January that he plans to retire after Wimbledon this year due to the pain in the joint.

But after a monumental five-set tussle with Roberto Bautista Agut, where Sir Andy showed he still has the ability and desire to compete at the top level, he said he would do everything he could to keep playing.

Broadcaster Chris Packham, who received death threats over his campaign on bird shooting last month, was also be awarded a CBE for services to nature conservation. The Extinction Rebellion logo could be seen on his tie

Sir Andy, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Wednesday, has since had a hip resurfacing operation and begun his rehabilitation.

He sounded upbeat about his tennis prospects when he spoke about his hip rehabilitation in April during the London Marathon, where he fired the starting pistol for the elite men's race.

He said: 'I've been hitting a few balls from a stationary position. I'm still quite a long way from testing it properly, running around a court.

'I just have to see what happens. I don't feel any pressure that I need to come back but if my body feels good and I'm pain-free then I'll give it a go.'

Sir Andy, who is a Unicef UK ambassador, received the knighthood for services to tennis and charity.

He came to the attention of tennis fans as an awkward, gangly young man who won the US Open junior title at the age of 17.

Shy, unkempt and with no desire to be a celebrity, the tennis ace stood out on court for the variety in his game, his tennis brain, his speed and, most of all, his tenacity.

The player connected with the wider British public when he took gold at the London 2012 Olympics, beating Roger Federer in straight sets.

A few weeks later he became the first British man to win a grand slam final in 76 years, defeating Novak Djokovic in the US Open.

His efforts earned him the OBE for services to tennis but more glory on the court was to follow.

Dark Materials author Philip Pullman with his knighthood following an investiture ceremony (left), and sports presenter Gary Newbon poses with his new MBE